The Wild Robot was one of the most anticipated films since its first teaser dropped with the song ‘What a Wonderful World’ and the film has lived up to its hype. Not only does it offer an adorable story for kids to watch but it also comes with heavy context and geological subtext that is enough to keep the adults engaged. The film unexpectedly also offers much humour and some emotional moments but best yet has been the artwork throughout the run time. From birds taking flight and colouring the sky, to the moving leaves that breathe life into the art, the film comes with a great re-watch value ready to turn it into a classic.
The film begins with a flashing thunderstorm which leads our Universal Dynamics all purpose ROZZUM robot into the wilderness. As a cargo ship crashes into the sea, six robots are destroyed except one, Rozzum 7134. Accidently woken by a group of otters, Rozzum sets out into the wild looking for its purpose. She walks through all the wild advertising her services, looking for the one who called her and needs her but all she manages to do is terrify the animals on the island.
Rozzum looking for its owner asking if someone called for her, or needs her is done beautifully. One scene echoes has voice into the emptiness of the wild and it easily strikes a cord, reminding the audience of the loneliness. Rozzum’s attempts to make contact get more desperate but can’t due to a language barrier, and takes it upon herself to learn the language of the wild, which works well for the film and its characters. However, things still do not go as expected when she comes across the grizzly bear leading to more than one accident.
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In turn, Rozzum wishes to return to the factory but when she ends up with a Gossling, she is more than happy to fulfil her task. Trying to find a way to help take care of the Gossling, Roz (nickname) ends up with a family of her own, with a baby goose, a goose-eating expert (fox) and a possum family as friends. While the plot does seem a simple story of how a Robot takes care of a Gossling and learns human emotions, the runtime of 101 minutes has much to offer.
The Gossling hatches and latches on to the robot as its mother. Roz finds ways to assist it in finding the right food, shelter and more. They grow up together and Roz has to complete the task of being Brightbill’s caretaker by teaching him swimming and flying so it can migrate in the winter. Apart from Roz’s relationship with the Gossling and the fox, the film also explores Roz’s relationship with the forest, the wild and the other animals on the island.
While the first half focuses on giving Roz a personality of its own, the second half explores the world’s reaction to it. One of the best moments in the film comes without anyone addressing it, Roz sacrifices herself in immeasurable ways as a commanded robot would, but also as a mother would. Lupita Nyong’o’s voice acting for Roz sees much of a character arc as well, adding layers and layers of emotions to the inhuman being.
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Overall, the larger-than-life art style with animation and painting along with a great voice cast, the film The Wild Robot is one of the best animated and otherwise releases of the year.
Cover artwork by Patrick Gawande/Mashable India
